
US-Iran strikes: Tehran admits nuclear facilities were 'seriously damaged'; Trump warns 'will do it again, if necessary'
Speaking to Fox News' Special Report, Araghchi admitted that Tehran's enrichment programme had been halted after three major sites were targeted on 22 June, under orders from US President Donald Trump.
'Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation,' Araghchi told host Bret Baier.
'The facilities have been destroyed.'
President Trump quickly reacted to the remarks, saying he was proven right in a post on Truth Social.
'Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: 'Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.'
"Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!" he said.
The US President further went on to demand an apology from CNN, accusing the network of downplaying the effectiveness of the strikes and calling for the sacking of one of its journalists.
"As interviewed by Bret Baier. Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony 'reporter' and apologize to me and the great pilots who 'OBLITERATED' Iran's nuclear sites. CNN is a major ratings loser, as is MSDNC!"
The Iranian minister added that the country had not been able to refine nuclear fuel since the airstrikes, but stressed the country would not abandon its nuclear ambitions, which he insisted were for 'peaceful purposes.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Citadel by Mahindra – Homes with a Modern Edge
Mahindra Citadel
Enquire Now
Undo
'It is now stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe, but obviously we cannot give up our enrichment,' he said. 'It is an achievement of our own scientists."
"And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,' the minister further added.
Araghchi also highlighted Tehran's firm stance ahead of any potential talks with Washington. He ruled out accepting any nuclear agreement that restricts domestic uranium enrichment, calling it a 'matter of dignity for the Iranian people.'
'If the goal is to make sure that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that is achievable,' he said. 'But if the goal is to deprive Iran from its rights, including the right of enrichment, I think we have, we have difficulty,' New York Post cited Araghchi.
Despite the destruction of several key sites, Araghchi insisted Iran retained the technical knowledge and personnel needed to resume enrichment in the future.
'Buildings can be rebuilt.
Facilities can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced,' he said. 'The technology is there.'
When asked whether Iran's existing stockpile of enriched uranium had survived the strikes, he said he had 'no detailed information.'
Araghchi also rejected any suggestion that Tehran would scale back its ballistic missile programme or withdraw support for regional proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
'They are fighting for a just cause, and we have always supported them,' he said.
'On our missiles, as I said, that is our most reliable means of defense.'
'How we can disarm ourselves? Who can [Iran] accept anything like that?'
The foreign minister did leave the door open to renewed diplomacy but ruled out direct talks with the Trump administration for the time being.
'If they are coming for a win-win solution, I am ready to engage with them,' he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kang becomes 1st in AAP to voice concern over Punjab's contentious land pooling policy
Chandigarh: Amid massive opposition to AAP govt's controversial land pooling policy in Punjab, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang on Sunday advised his party's supremo, Arvind Kejriwal, and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to hear "objections raised by farmer unions on the policy". In a post on X on Sunday evening, Kang, who is the first AAP leader to publicly voice his concerns regarding the controversial policy, said, "Govt should move forward only after taking farmers and our farmer unions into confidence through dialogue." He called on the state govt to listen to the farmers with empathy and address their issues through meaningful dialogue. "My suggestion to @ArvindKejriwal ji and @BhagwantMann ji is that our govt has done a lot for the betterment of farmers in the last three years, such as ensuring uninterrupted power supply for agriculture, aiming to deliver canal water to every field, expediting mandi reforms, and promoting crop diversification, among other efforts. On this policy too, govt should move forward only after taking farmers and our farmer unions into confidence through dialogue," he said. Kang, who put out the post in both Punjabi and English, said, "On this too, trust must be earned – not assumed – before any policy takes root." The AAP govt in Punjab, led by Mann, has been facing criticism from opposition parties, farm unions, and farmers ever since it proposed the land pooling policy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Under the policy, state govt plans to acquire more than 40,000 acres of land across the state for housing and industrial projects, promising residential and commercial plots of varied dimensions, depending on the contribution of land parcels by them, for the contributing landowners in the developed projects. All three main opposition parties in Punjab, the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the BJP, have been opposing the scheme, calling it a "land grabbing" scheme. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar even termed it a "Ponzi scheme," even as the ruling AAP claimed it to be aimed at planned urbanisation in the state. Facing criticism over the policy, the AAP-led govt, after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, approved a number of amendments to the policy. These amendments included annual compensation to the landowners, extending residential and commercial plot allotments to farmers with smaller landholdings, and issuing letters offering residential and commercial plots in a time-bound manner. The amendments aimed to allay the concerns of the farmers. However, criticism of the policy continued, with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announcing protests against the policy on Wednesday. Opposing the policy, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) also demanded its rollback. |


Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Marco Rubio backs JD Vance for 2028, but keeps door open to White House bid
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has put to rest speculation that he's preparing to challenge Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential race—at least for now. Speaking to Fox News, Rubio praised Vance and expressed hope that his 'close friend' runs for president. 'Well, I think JD Vance would be a great nominee. If he decides he wants to do that. I think he's doing a great job as Vice President. He's a close friend and I hope he intends to do it,' Rubio said. While Rubio didn't entirely close the door on a 2028 bid, he emphasised that his attention remains on his current responsibilities as America's top diplomat. 'It's kind of early, you know, but being in the role that I'm in here at the Secretary of State, I really don't play in politics,' he said. 'I want to do this job as long as the president allows me to do it and stay in that job, which would keep me here all the way through January of 2028.' He added that there are official restrictions on his political involvement: 'There's actually rules against me being involved in domestic politics.' Since being appointed Secretary of State under President Trump, Rubio has taken on several demanding assignments, including overseeing the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The 2028 election will likely mark the first time since 2016 that both major parties will not have an incumbent or past nominee leading the field. Republicans, in particular, are expected to face a transition, with Donald Trump unlikely to be the party's standard bearer. Rubio's comments may be an early signal that he's positioning himself as a supporter—or potential running mate—for a Vance-led ticket. Rubio also reflected on his 2016 rivalry with then-candidate Donald Trump, who famously dubbed him 'Little Marco' during the bruising Republican primary. 'I knew who he was, obviously, but I'd never met him,' Rubio said. 'We happened to be competing for the same thing. So in any competition… punches are going to be thrown. But then that ends and then we're on the same team because he's a Republican nominee and I'm a Republican.'


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
BMC plans hawker-free zones across all wards
Mumbai: A year after submitting a list of 20 hawker-free zones to Bombay HC, BMC is now planning to replicate the model across all civic wards. At a recent meeting, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani directed ward officials to coordinate with local police and identify specific stretches that can be strictly monitored and kept free of illegal hawkers. These areas will be jointly supervised by civic and police staff to ensure consistent enforcement and pedestrian safety. A BMC official said, "Complaints about hawkers occupying footpaths and narrowing walking space have been increasing, especially in high traffic areas. We have been asked to address this through targeted enforcement. The commissioner has also instructed that additional manpower and machinery be provided to wards on demand. Consistent enforcement will send a strong message to hawkers and discourage them from returning. " In May, a dozen housing societies from Thakur village in Kandivli East had approached Mumbai North MP and minister Piyush Goyal, seeking his urgent intervention to address growing encroachment by illegal hawkers in their locality. They said hawkers had taken over roads and footpaths, and claimed that no action had been taken despite repeated complaints and peaceful protests. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Back Pain! Back Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai In a similar move, traders' body Dadar Vyapari Sangh alleged in a letter to BMC and police chiefs in Feb that the menace of illegal hawkers in Dadar had reached alarming levels. It said it had to discontinue a valet parking initiative it had launched due to lack of official support. Citizen activist Nikhil Desai said effective action is possible if BMC and police work in coordination. "Dadar TT, which is on the list of proposed hawker-free zones, continues to be overrun by hundreds of hawkers at any given time. The only sustainable solution is to relocate them to designated hawking zones." He also recalled how in March a ward officer who took action against illegal flower vendors outside Matunga station was abruptly transferred after facing political pressure. Rajkumar Sharma, president of the Chembur-based advanced locality management and networking action committee, felt authorities keep passing the buck. "Ideally, BMC officials should act against such encroachments before residents are made to take matters in their own hands and go to court."